Oral problems and quality of life of preschool children: self‐reports of children and perception of parents/caregivers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between oral health problems and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children according to both self-reports and the reports of parents/caregivers. A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 769 preschool children and their parents/caregivers. The OHRQoL was evaluated using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for Five-Year-Old Children (SOHO-5). Based on logistic regression for complex samples, the following variables were found to be associated with poorer OHRQoL in the parent/caregiver version: toothache (OR = 6.77; 95% CI: 3.95-11.59); consequences of untreated dental caries (OR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.27-5.70); and anterior open bite (OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.13-3.56). The following variables were associated with poorer OHRQoL in the child self-report version: toothache (OR = 3.34; 95% CI: 2.11-5.29); cavitated lesions (anterior teeth) (OR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.26-3.84); occurrence of traumatic dental injury (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.19-2.61); and anterior open bite (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.16-3.29). We conclude that children with dental caries (or its sequelae) had poorer OHRQoL. Having experienced a traumatic dental injury and having a malocclusion were also associated with a poorer OHRQoL.

Contextual and individual determinants of oral health-related quality of life among five-year-old children: a multilevel analysis

“…It is possible that children with white spots on their anterior teeth may perceive a negative esthetic effect. This finding is also described in a previous study, although no such association was found in the perception of parents/caregivers (Perazzo et al, 2017b). This may demonstrate that parents/caregivers perceive oral problems in small children only in the presence of pain, which underscores the importance of studies that also evaluate children’s perceptions to gain a better understanding of OHRQoL in young children.…”

“…Previous studies have also demonstrated such associations, reporting that these conditions may be related to impairments with regard to functional, esthetic and social aspects (Kramer et al, 2013; Gomes et al, 2014; Abanto et al, 2014; Guedes et al, 2014; Perazzo et al, 2017b; Abanto et al, 2018). It is also possible that these relationships were due to the associated symptoms.…”

“…Moreover, this study followed the same methodology used in previous studies (Perazzo et al, 2017a; Perazzo et al, 2017b; Gomes et al, 2018). The present study was conducted at public and private preschools between August and December 2015 in the city of Campina Grande, which is located in northeast Brazil, with approximately 400,000 inhabitants.…”

“…Previous investigations conducted with preschool children have demonstrated the impact of dental caries, TDI and malocclusion on the OHRQoL of children (Wong et al, 2011; Kramer et al, 2013; Gomes et al, 2014; Abanto et al, 2014; Onoriobe et al, 2014; Arrow & Klobas, 2015; Guedes et al, 2014; Perazzo et al, 2017b; Abanto et al, 2018). Most studies focused on the evaluation of the characteristics of the children and their families for the determination of OHRQoL (Wong et al, 2011; Kramer et al, 2013; Gomes et al, 2014; Abanto et al, 2014; Onoriobe et al, 2014; Arrow & Klobas, 2015; Perazzo et al, 2017b; Abanto et al, 2018).…”

“…Most studies focused on the evaluation of the characteristics of the children and their families for the determination of OHRQoL (Wong et al, 2011; Kramer et al, 2013; Gomes et al, 2014; Abanto et al, 2014; Onoriobe et al, 2014; Arrow & Klobas, 2015; Perazzo et al, 2017b; Abanto et al, 2018). However, it is possible to find explanations for the impact on OHRQoL not only in individual characteristics, but also in contextual characteristics.…”